g-regson



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. GREGSON.

LIFE PRESERVER OR BUOY- Patented'Aug. 28, 1888.

FIG. I.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. GREGSON.

LIFE PRESBRVER 0R BUOY.

No. 388,667. Patented Aug. 28 1888.

N. PETERS. Phnm-Lilmgrapben Washington D, Q

( lv s Sheets-Sheet 3.

RGREGSON.

- LIFE PRESERVER OR BUOY. $10,388,667. Patented Aug. 28, 1888.

FIG.3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK GREGSON, OF SPRINGFIELD PLACE, BRADFORD, COUNTY OF YORK, ENGLAND.

LIFE PRESERVER OR BUOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent No. 388,667, dated August 28, 1888.

Application filed August 15, 1887. Serial No. 246,986. (No model.) Patented in England May 25, 1887, No. 7,585, and in FranceAugust 9, 1887, No. 185,259.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, FREDERICK GREGSQN, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Springfield Place, Bradford,in the county of York, England, traveler, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life Preservers or Buoys, (for which I have obtained patents in Great Britain, No. 7,585, dated May 25,1887 ,and in France,No.185,259, dated August 9, 1887,) of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for its object a novel construction of life preserver or float, which is capable of ready application and inflation when required for use, and in its normal or noninflated condition is capable of being folded or rolled, so as to occupy only a small space, thereby enabling it to be carried about the person,ready for use at any moment of emergency. For this purpose I construct a bag of waterproof materia1such as Macintosh or india-rubber, gutta-percha, or other waterproof substanceeovered or in combination with silk, cotton, flax, or other suitable mate rial. Iform this bag with three holes, through the center one of which the head is passed, and through each of the others an arm, so that the life-preserver when in position on the person extends across the top of the shoulders, over the chest and back,around the neck and under and around each arm. The life preserver or buoy is also provided with a tube fitted with a tap or valve, by which means the preserver or buoy may be readilyinflated by the wearer blowing into the tube, and when sufficiently inflated the air will be retained by means of the tap or valve.

And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into effect, Iwill proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully to describe the vertical sections respectively on the lines 1 l and 2 2 of Fig. 2.

In all the figures of the drawings like parts are marked with similar letters of reference.

or represents the body of the life preserver or buoy, which is formed of a ring or tubular shaped bag of water-proof material-such as Macintosh or india-rubber, gutta-percha, or other water-proof substance-covered or in combination with silk, cotton, flax, or other suitable material.

In the body a of the life preserver or buoy I form three holes or apertures, one, I), at the center, through which the head of the wearer is passed, and one, I), at each side thereof, through each of which an arm of the wearer is passed, so that when in position for use the life preserver or buoy extends across the top of the shoulders of the wearer, over the chest and back, around the neck and around each arm, no ties or other fastenings being required to retain the same in place.

The life preserver or buoy shown in the drawings I have arranged in two water-tight chambers or compartments divided centrally by a partition, 0, extending all around the buoy, whereby in the event of one of the chambers or compartments becoming accidentally perforated the other will retain sufflcient air to insure the life preserver or buoy having sufficient flotative power for the purpose intended.

Both the inner and outer compartments of the life preserver or buoy are provided with a flexible tube, (1, fitted with a tap or valve, 6, by which means the preserver or buoy may be readily inflated by the wearer blowing into the tube (1 through the tap or valve 6, and when sufficiently inflated the air will be retained by means of the tap or valve 6. The tap or valve 6 will also permit of the escape of the contained air when the life preserver or buoy is not required for use.

The life preserver or buoy is furnished on the front with a small pocket, f, to receive the outer tap or valve, 6, and with a turn-down flap, g, to cover and protect the tube d. The inner tube and tap or valve lie between the chest of the wearer and the buoy,and are thus fully protected against injury.

If desired, the partition 0 and second inflating-tube d and tap or valve 6 may be dispensed with.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. A life preserver or buoy consisting of a continuous tubular-shaped bag, a, of Waterproof material,provided with three apertures, 71 I) I), for the neck and arms, respectively,and suitable inflating means, substantially as set forth.

2. A life preservcr or buoy consisting of a continuous tubular-shaped bag, a, of waterproof material,provided with three apertures, 11 b b, for the neck and arms, respectively, a longitudinal partition, 0, extending entirely 38sec? around the bag, whereby the bag is divided into two parallel air chambers or compartments, which extend around the front and back, and under and over the arm-apertures, and suitable means for inflating said compartments, substantially as shown and described.

3. A life preserver or buoy consisting of a continuous tubular-shaped bag, a, of waterproof material,provided with three apertures, 12 bf b, for the neck and arms, respectively, a tube, d, provided with a tap-valve, e, a pocket, f, for supporting the tube and valve when not in use, and a turn-down flap, g, for covering and protecting the tube, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

FRED. GREGSON.

Vitnesses;

B. J. B. MILLs, G. M. WVHITE, Both of 23 Southampton Buildings, London. 

